Defensive Driving
If you spend a lot of time on the road, you’ll know that driving defensively is the best way to stay safe while you make your way from one destination to the next. Our South African weather and road conditions are notoriously fickle, and there are plenty of drivers out there who don’t adhere to all the rules of the road, which means that a safe journey is largely dependent on your ability to maintain focus, handle your vehicle and respond to unexpected situations.
The Datsun team takes road safety seriously, which is why we’d like to share a few of our top tips on defensive driving to help you enjoy an accident-free journey every time you take to the road:
Get Serious About Following Distances
Under normal conditions, you should be at least two to three seconds away from the vehicle in front of you. Increase this to four to six seconds at night, when it’s rainy or you are towing a trailer. Posted speed limits are determined for ideal conditions; if so reduce your speed if you encounter inclement weather or poor road surfaces. Always have an exit route that you can take if the road in front of you suddenly has to become blocked – this requires that you drive at a speed that will allow you to maintain control of your vehicle even if you have to go off the road.
Don’t Be Thrown by Skidding
Skidding is one of the most frequently cited causes of accidents on the road. It can be caused by overbraking, oversteering, over accelerating of simply driving to fast. Oil slicks and wet roads also play a role. If you should find yourself in a skid, take your foot off the accelerator instead of braking so the car’s weight is thrown forward and the tyres can find grip, and steer into the direction of the skid instead of jerking the car steering wheel in the opposite direction.
Be Ready to Diffuse a Hijacking
Crime is an everyday reality in South African whether we like to admit it or not. Do your best to avoid risky situations, but also be prepared to walk away unscathed if the worst should occur. Whenever you’re leaving or arriving at home and need to wait for a garage door or gate to open, leave enough room to drive off if need be. Keep your car at an angle and don’t drive right up to the gate or door. Similarly, don’t dawdle in parking lots or spend too much time doing things in your car before driving off. If the worst should happen and you do find yourself the victim of an attempted hijacking, don’t be a hero. Give up your car and get yourself and the rest of the occupant out safely. If you have children in the car, communicate to your assailant that you are willing to give up the vehicle if you can get them out first. Most importantly – always, always, stay alert and cognisant of your surroundings.
These are just a few of the defensive driving tips we’ve picked up over the years. For more advice on driving your Datsun safely, or to get behind the wheel of a new model, feel free to get in touch with your closest Datsun dealership. We have a team of auto enthusiasts standing by to assist you in any way they can.
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